Who will Declan Rice be playing for next season?

If a Champions League club is willing to offer £120m, West Ham would allow Declan Rice to leave this summer according to reports. Alternatively, the club would accept £100m and a player in exchange for the midfielder.

At present, Arsenal is the most likely destination for Rice, although Chelsea, Manchester United, and Liverpool are also expressing interest.

Rice, 24, will have only one year remaining on his contract with West Ham. However, the club has the option to extend it for an additional year. It was just 18 months ago, Rice turned down a new contract offer of £200,000 per week; any new contract signed would see the English midfielder be on 3x that figure.

We spoke to @_WestHamReport to find out what a deal between Rice and West Ham would mean and if he is worth the huge £120m valuation.

“I think the fee is about right.” This would mean Rice would be the most expensive British transfer fee of all time, above Jack Grealish at £100m.

“The West ham side of my brain thinks he’s priceless and no money would soften the blow of seeing him leave.”

Rice has been a mainstay in the West Ham midfield for a number of years now. He made his debut in the 2016/17 season and registered 200 appearances since in the Premier League (272 total).

Let’s not forget, it isn’t out of the question that Rice will still be playing for West Ham next season, he is dearly cherished by the fans and that love is reciprocated from Rice. He is actually favourite to stay at the London Stadium for another season (1/2 odds).

After spotting a young fan in tears, Declan Rice went over to check on him and even shared his shirt! ❤️ pic.twitter.com/CaoWIW6mLe

— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) May 8, 2023

“Our fans absolutely love Dec. Whilst it’s Arsenal [who are favourites to sign him] they aren’t Spurs or Chelsea so it really wouldn’t matter as much.” Seeing Rice go to a bitter rival would be a sore subject for all West Ham fans.

Arsenal are the favourites to sign the midfielder at odds of 7/5 but other clubs registering interest include: Chelsea, Manchester City, Manchester United, Liverpool and Newcastle United.

It has also been suggested that should a deal go ahead, West Ham would hand the £120m straight to David Moyes and the recruitment team to reinvest every penny back in to the squad, but who do they need?

“Central midfield would be a must [to recruit] after losing rice!” The Hammers would be short in the midfield department should they lose Rice, and @_WestHamReport would expect a portion of the fee spent finding a replacement.

But with £120m in your bank, West Ham fan’s will want more. “Full backs always come up into conversation [when recruiting] but I’d like to see a proper left winger brought in.”

It’s an interesting conversation at West Ham, losing your captain and a proper leader would be a huge loss. However, David Moyes is an experienced manager who will be expected to find some gems.

With Premier League status secured and hopefully a Europa League Conference trophy headed to the London Stadium – and therefore Europa League football – playing for the Hammers next season is an attractive prospect for any top-level footballer.

Declan Rice Club on this date Odds

All odds correct as 15:00 BST, 11 May.

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